What you should know about howlers

By |March 5th, 2016|Europe, Featured, Features, Germany, Journeys|

Saucer eyes and little whiskers – at the sight of baby seals hardly anyone can resist saying the words “Oh, how cute!” The childlike proportions are what cause in humans a caring instinct. Well intended is not always done well. […]

Fox Hunting with an Eagle

By |March 9th, 2014|Central Asia, Features, Journeys, Kyrgyzstan|

The two horsemen came all the way from their small village to the canyons. There, at the foot of the mountains, the hunt starts. Anvarbek moves along the hills, his 14-year-old son Azamat rides with his horse along the valley. They patrol one canyon after another. This is a hunting trip: The young Azamat is [...]

Satellites and Drones for Nature Conservation

By |December 16th, 2013|Asia, Central Asia, Features, Mongolia|

Surveillance with the help of satellites and drones is known primarily from the military sector. However, conservationists also started to use these modern technologies to their advantage. How they do it, the following three examples show. GPS/Satellite Telemetry Scientist Koustubh Sharma switches on the computer in his office. Via alphanumeric password, he logs into the [...]

Mehr va Oqibat: Animal Rights in Uzbekistan

By |December 9th, 2013|Central Asia, Features, Journeys, Uzbekistan|

A man is walking on the side of the road. He carries shopping bags in both hands. As soon as he sees a stray dog lying in the shade of a tree, he puts the bags down, picks up a stone and throws it at the animal. The dog is hit; it whines and runs [...]

Hay Harvest in Mongolia

By |November 15th, 2013|Asia, Central Asia, Features, Journeys, Mongolia|

When asked the question: "How much hay does your family need for the winter?" Uyadagwa thinks for a moment. Then he points to the horizon. "We have to mow the grass till there. 20 trucks of hay we have to bring to the camp. Then we have enough." Uyadagwa (41 years old) and his two [...]

Eye Surgery on Snow Leopards

By |November 13th, 2013|Asia, Central Asia, Features, Journeys|

Visiting a zoo in winter is a solitary experience. This Monday morning in January, there only few visitors. Most of the staff are busy with shoveling snow. In addition to the birds' croaking from the aviaries, you only hear the scraping of the shovel blades on the asphalt. Many of the snow-covered enclosures are empty. [...]